Rays Report

By Times staff
Published September 9, 2007

Did you know?

With one more steal, Rays LF Carl Crawford will have 50 in a seaon for the fourth time in his career. Since 1900, only six players have recorded four 50-steal seasons at the age of 26 (Rickey Henderson, Cesar Cedeno, Ty Cobb, Tim Raines, Eddie Collins and Bert Campaneris).

Number of the day

9 Walkoff wins by the Rays, two shy of their team record and tied with the Nats and Twins for second most in the majors. The Angels and A's each have 10.e_SClBQuote of the Day

"I just wanted to get it out there. I'm very bad at keeping secrets."

Manager Joe Maddon, on the decision to announce that his two-year option was picked up.e_SClBToday: Raysvs. Blue Jays

When/where: 1:40; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

Promotion: The first 7,500 fans 14 and under receive a Carlos Pena jersey T-shirt.

Rays tickets: $8-$210. Available at Tropicana Field box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, devilrays.com.

Rays info: (727) 825-3250

Watch for ...

Innings eater: Workhorse James Shields reached 200 innings on the season in his last outing, giving the Rays seven innings and allowing just one earned run in a 9-7 win over the Orioles on Monday. Shields is third in the AL in innings pitched, behind Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia (211) and Oakland's Joe Blanton (2051/3). His 174 strikeouts are sixth in the AL.

Homecoming: The last time Dixie Hollins grad Jesse Litsch pitched at Tropicana Field, the former Rays bat boy shut down the Tampa Bay bats, pitching 62/3 shutout innings and allowing seven hits in a 2-0 Jays win on July 31. He's coming off the worst outing of his major-league career Monday, when he lasted 31/3 innings and allowed seven runs on seven hits to Boston.